The Tite Inn - Changing Hands

The Tite Inn, Nr Chipping Norton, Oxon - Changing Hands

After 20 years of running the Tite Inn, Michael and Sue Willis are calling time and retiring. They have built a really nice country pub with a strong and loyal customer base and cater for walkers too with a couple of pub walks.

The Tite Inn has closed while the sale is completed but it is scheduled to re-open again early in February, 2008 once the new owners have completed their refurbishment.

We all know that a change of hands can go either way but sometimes new owners make a special effort in the early months so maybe it would be worth trying out one of those Tite Inn pub walks shortly after it re-opens.

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Festival of Winter Walks - 26 December to 2 January

Festival of Winter Walks - 26 December to 2 January

Time to burn off some of those calories from the excesses of Christmas Day in that great British tradition - the Boxing Day family walk!

The Ramblers Association's annual Festival of Winter Walks starts today and is an ideal introduction to the RA. With hundreds of walks being led across the UK, you can even get 20% off RA membership if you decide to sign up after the walk.

And if you find a good pub at the end of the walk, then why not submit a pub walk ... and get your free membership of MyFavouritePubWalks.com too.

To find out more, visit Festival of Winter Walks from where you can search for a walk in your area.

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This Week's Pub Walk - The Duke's Head: a varied route from the historic town of Romsey, Hampshire

This Week's Pub Walk - The Duke's Head: a varied route from the historic town of Romsey, Hampshire

This circular walk features not only the historic town of Romsey but also includes riverside and woodland paths, tracks and some short stretches of road.

The Dukes Head features in the Good Pub Guide and is a traditional village pub with heaps of character - oak beams, low ceilings, solid oak bar, inglenook fireplace. Some elements of the menu may be a bit pricey but hungry walkers could try their 10" baguettes served with salad, tortilla chips and a small, warming cup of soup, all for £7.

To download and enjoy today click on Duke's Head Pub Walk.

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Last Minute Christmas Shopping? A Christmas Gift For Pub Walkers

A Christmas Present for Lovers of Pub Walks

Still not decided what to give your loved one for Christmas? Or just looking for a little extra?

Well the Christmas special offer from MyFavouritePubWalks.com gives a year's unlimited downloads of pub walks for just £7.00 (a 60% saving on the previous £17.00 cost of membership). More pub walks are being added all the time so this is a present that not only lasts a full year but it also gets better as it gets older!

Now that the site has added a gift certificate facility, it is easy to email a £7.00 gift voucher to anyone instantly. So if you have left Christmas shopping to the last minute this year, then you are still not too late to give a present with a difference.

To send a gift certificate today, click on Pub Walks Gift Certificate.

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This Week's Pub Walk - The Black Horse Inn: a longer pub walk with views in West Sussex

This Week's Pub Walk - The Black Horse Inn: a longer pub walk with views in West Sussex

If you fancy a longer circular pub walk in West Sussex, here's one for you. This 8 mile route is pretty easy going as long as you can manage a few stiles and it offers views between trees to a long stretch of the northern Downs escarpment between Ditchling Beacon and the Adur valley.

You can stop along the away for refreshment at The Black Horse Inn, a 17th century listed country freehouse serving good food and real ales such as Harveys Sussex, London Pride and Timothy Taylor Landlord.

The reasonably priced menu includes gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options for those with dietary requirements, as well as an extensive specials board and a separate children's menu.

To download and enjoy today click on Black Horse Inn Pub Walk.

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This Week's Free Pub Walk - Owd Nell's Tavern, Bilsborrow, Lancashire

Free Pub Walk:

Owd Nell's Tavern in Bilsborrow, Lancashire.

An attractive circular walk along the Lancaster Canal and River Brock, through fine open country.

Owd Nell's is part of Guy's Thatched Hamlet which is family owned and has become one of the most popular venues of the area. It offers an ideal day out for the family with country walks, good pub food and drink, a stroll around the craft shops, watch local cricket and maybe even stay overnight in the Lodgings.

To download and enjoy today click on Owd Nell's Tavern Pub Walk.

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The People's £50m - Vote for New Walking and Cycling Routes

The People's £50m - Vote for New Walking and Cycling Routes

Only one of the four projects in the running for the People's £50m prize provides nationwide benefits. Not only that, its healthy, environmentally friendly and can be enjoyed by everyone for free.

The sustainable transport charity Sustran is bidding for the money to open up new walking and cycling networks for 79 communities. They will do this mainly be creating bridges and walkways where current use is hampered by obstacles such as busy roads, railways and rivers. Finding a solution to these suddenly opens up new opportunities for many more people to leave their cars at home and use their legs.

The Pub Walker will be casting its vote to support the Sustrans' Connect2 project and encourages everyone who would like to see improved walking and cycling routes to do the same.

Voting closes 10 December and can be done on-line or by telephone or text.

You can find out more at Vote for New Walkways and Cycleways.

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This Week's Free Pub Walk - The Black Swan, Fearby, Yorkshire Dales

Free Pub Walk:

The Black Swan at Fearby in the Yorkshire Dales.

The Black Swan is well known for one of the UK's largest chamber pot collections. With panoramic views over the Vale of York from the public bar and beautiful moorland location, this is a perfect area for walking.

The pub also has a play area overlooked by a heated patio area for the parents so this is a family-friendly pub.

To download and enjoy today simply visit The Black Swan Pub Walk.

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This Week's Free Pub Walk - The Ship Inn, Saxmundham, Suffolk

Free Pub Walk:

The Ship Inn in Saxmundham, Suffolk.

This walk is along the eroding cliffs and south across Dunwich Heath to the National Trust's Coastguard Cottages property.

The Ship Inn is a 500 year old pub right on the coast, serving traditional pub food with a good selection of real ales. To download the walk visit The Ship Inn Pub Walk.

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This Week's Free Pub Walk - The Six Bells in Fulbourn, Cambs

Free Pub Walk:

The Six Bells in Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire.

A fascinating and varied longer walk including not one but three nature reserves, a duck pond and a windmill that still has its full quota of sails.

Stop en route at The Six Bells which is a traditional pub featuring in the Good Beer Guide. It offers a good range of home-cooked food and wide selection of real ales.

To download for free visit The Six Bells Pub Walk.

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This Week's Free Pub Walk - The Royal Standard of England in Beaconsfield, Bucks

Free Pub Walk:

The Royal Standard of England in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

You'll have seen from my last post that The Royal Standard of England has been winning accolades at The Publican Pub Food Awards. Well they also know how to cater for walkers and have a couple of pub walks of their own.

To download these walks for free visit Royal Standard of England Pub Walks.

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The Publican Pub Food Awards 2007

The Publican Pub Food Awards 2007

The Grapes, Limehouse, London E14 8BP is "Simply the best pub in Britain" according to The Publican magazine. It has just announced its pub food award winners in 14 categories with The Grapes winning the "Pub of the Year" title.

Sunday Lunch Pub of the Year and Pub Food Champion of the Year was the Royal Standard of England which also has two pub walks featuring on MyFavouritePubWalks.com.

To see a full list of the winners visit Pub Food Awards.

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This Week's Free Pub Walks - Competition Winners

This Week's Free Pub Walks - Competition Winners

Instead of the usual one free pub walk to download, this week there are four of the winning entries from the competition to find the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk. The coupons for these can be found in the latest Pub Walker newsletter which are valid until 30 November 2007. If you missed them, just click on the link below:

• Winning Pub Walks to Download for Free

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"The Pub Walker" Free Newsletter - Second Edition

"The Pub Walker" Free Newsletter - Second Edition

This is just a quick post to say that the second edition of our 2-monthly free newsletter, also called "The Pub Walker" has just been distributed to our subscribers.

In this issue: (click on a title to jump straight to the article)

• The Nation's Favourite Pub Walk - 2007 Winners
• Award-winning pubs and where to find them
• Winning Pub Walks to Download for Free
• Christmas Gift Ideas for Pub Walkers
• Dates for your Diary - special events, festivals and deadlines

If you are not already registered with us and would like to receive your own free copy straight to your inbox in future then please simply click on subscribe.

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Large Scale Sculptures in the Sussex Countryside

Large Scale Sculptures in the Sussex Countryside

This weekend represents the last chance this year to experience something quite wonderful in the Sussex countryside.

How about a 2 mile stroll around 26 acres of ancient woodland with a different sculpture at every turn? Each of the 70 large scale creations is set in its own glade and these dramatic monumental pieces take on a surreal feel in the natural surroundings.

This is a woodland walk like no other and as the open season ends 4 November this could be the perfect way to spend some time this weekend.

To find out more, take a look at the Goodwood Sculpture Park.

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This Week's Free Pub Walk - The White Hart in Campton, Beds. (Walk 1)

Free Pub Walk: Coupon No. 128-051107 (expires 05/11/07)

The White Hart (Walk 1) in Campton, Bedfordshire.

An easy circular walk via Campton Plantation, through open pasture and ancient woodland with some magnificent trees.

The White Hart has been in the same family for over 30 years and remains a traditional village local. It regularly features in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide.

Download for free using the Coupon above - click on the pub name above, then order the pub walk and enter the Coupon Number during the checkout process. No payment is required so if you arrive at the Paypal page, hit the back arrow and look for the box at the very bottom of the previous page.

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Walkers are Welcome in Wales

Walkers are Welcome in Wales

With nearly half the paths in Wales difficult to navigate as a result of years of neglect, it is encouraging to see that earlier this month Prestatyn was officially designated the first town in Wales to get "Walkers are Welcome" status.

The Walkers are Welcome initiative is aimed at encouraging communities themselves (rather than well-meaning organisations!) to promote their towns as walking areas - ensuring footpaths are well maintained and well sign-posted to optimise the pleasure given to users and boost the local economy from increased visitor numbers.

The first Walkers are Welcome conference was held last weekend and the idea is spreading amongst both those interested in walking and improved access as well as community-minded groups.

It seems to me that pubs could lead this initiative for their own areas as it would not only raise their profile locally and serve their community but also improve walker access and therefore help to improve their own trade.

Anyone interested in finding out more about how their town or community can meet the criteria should see Walkers are Welcome.

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This Week's Free Pub Walk - The Wykeham Arms, Winchester, Hants.

Free Pub Walk: Coupon No. 202-291007 (expires 29/10/07)

The Wykeham Arms in Winchester, Hampshire.

This pub has won just about every award going. Very popular with locals but also with an enviable reputation for good food and wine that has survived the passing of its previous legendary landlord Graeme Jameson.

Its in the Good Pub Guide of course and this year the Guide has just awarded it the title of Best Food Pub in Hampshire.

So this is a great opportunity to try a pub walk in Winchester with plenty of variety and historical interest.

Download for free using the Coupon above - click on the pub name above, then order the pub walk and enter the Coupon Number during the checkout process. No payment is required so if you arrive at the Paypal page, hit the back arrow and look for the box at the very bottom of the previous page.

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Pubs Told "Forget Food if you Want to Make a Profit"

Pubs Told "Forget Food if you Want to Make a Profit"

It is often said that pubs make little money from the drinks they serve and it is the food that keeps them in the black. Well maybe not any more, if the audience at a Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) event is to be believed.

According to the Morning Advertiser, the event debated the motion "forget food it you want to make a profit". The audience were surveyed before the debate and rejected the motion. However, by the end, they had switched sides and voted in favour.

The arguments centred on the question of whether the market was becoming flooded (“supply is going to exceed demand quite soon ... unless everyone starts to have four meals a day...") and whether pubs could sell enough to justify the additional expenses in the kitchen.

I'm sure this was all just a bit of fun and I hope it is not taken seriously by our publicans. For me, the lunch menu in a pub is equally as important as its real ale, its atmosphere and its hospitality and service. The reality is most of us do not expect cordon bleu... just simple, wholesome, tasty, value-for-money dishes - oh and generous portions too of course!

To read more on the debate see Pubs told "forget food if you want to make a profit"

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This Week's Free Pub Walk - The Haunch of Venison, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Free Pub Walk: Coupon No. 125-221007 (expires 22/10/07)

The Haunch of Venison in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

This is a delightful walk around the cathedral city of Salisbury including a 14th century pub recommended in the Good Pub Guide.

I have chosen this pub walk as the first free pub walk for my blog as Salisbury is a favourite cathedral city of mine and this weekend also coincides with the last few days of the Salisbury City Art Trail. The trail gives opportunity to not only view their work but also to meet and talk with some of the 100 artists taking part.

The Art Trail passes close to the Haunch of Venison so you could vary our pub walk route so that you can add an additional cultural dimension to the trail! A map is available from Salisbury Tourist Information.


Download for free using the Coupon above - click on the pub name above, then order the pub walk and enter the Coupon Number during the checkout process. No payment is required so if you arrive at the Paypal page, hit the back arrow and look for the box at the very bottom of the previous page.

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How to Get Free Pub Walks - Update

How to Get Free Pub Walks - Update

Now that the competition to find the Nation’s Favourite Pub Walk has closed and judging is underway, there are still 4 ways to download pub walks for free from the MyFavouritePubWalks.com website. Here's how:

1. Visit this blog regularly which will now feature a free pub walk each week - in addition to continuing to report on current issues affecting our countryside, our community pubs and more. Remember it's easy to subscribe so you needn't miss a single pub walk (each pub walk is free for that week only).

2. Register for our free newsletter with its regular collection of free pub walks to download, award-winning pubs, features, promotions and offers (we guarantee your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time).

3. Simply send us a pub walk to qualify for a year's free membership with unlimited downloads of all the pub walks in our growing database. Not only that, we want your favourite pub walks so badly that we will pay you!

4. Or take out an annual subscription for unlimited downloads of all our pub walks. With 10 Reasons to Join including our 12-month, no questions asked, money-back guarantee, you really have nothing to lose.

This Week's Free Pub Walk is here


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Footpath Closures - Foot and Mouth Update

Footpath Closures - Foot and Mouth Update

Surrey County Council has created an excellent interactive map where you can zoom in and clearly locate footpath closures and identify alternative walking routes that remain open. To find out more, click on Foot and Mouth footpath closures.

There is an almost constantly changing Protection Zone around the infected premises so if you are walking in the area it is worth checking out this new interactive map.

There is some positive news as domestic markets for sheep and cattle re-opened at midnight last night (in the FMD Low Risk Area outside the Bluetongue Protection and Control zones). Despite these movement restrictions being eased, the situation remains dire for many farmers (see earlier post).

Currently, there are eight Foot and Mouth disease infected premises in the Surrey area. On Bluetongue, there are currently 24 infected premises in the Suffolk area.

For the latest information, click on Foot and Mouth footpath closures.

Today's pub walk: The Three Horseshoes in Cockfield, Suffolk.

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Legal Right of Access to our Coast

Legal Right of Access to our Coast

Last week the government confirmed that it would legislate to give a legal right of access to the English coastline. This was a very welcome announcement at the Labour Party Conference and followed strong lobbying by Natural England, the Ramblers Association and many others.

The public consultation period only ended on 11 September (see earlier post) so this was an unexpectedly quick decision from the government and no doubt the timing of the conference had a helping hand in this. Whatever the reason though, this is very welcome news for anyone that gets real pleasure from our varied and dramatic coastline.

Read more at The Government Backs Coastal Access

Today's coastal pub walk: Sailor's Return in East Chaldon, Dorset.

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Last Chance to Vote for Your Favourite Pub Walks

Last Chance to Vote for Your Favourite Pub Walks

Voting is about to close for our website MyFavouritePubWalks.com’s first-ever competition. to find the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk. Excuse the quick plug here but there are Good Pub Guides, The Ramblers “Walking Companion” and Blacks vouchers to be won, not just for entrants but for voters too.

So why not find time this weekend to download a pub walk for free, give it a try and then cast your “vote” by adding a rating or review to the site. More details can be found at MyFavouritePubWalks.com/competition.
See Update...

Today's pub walk: Beaulieu Road Inn near Beaulieu Station, New Forest.

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British Food Fortnight - Local Events

British Food Fortnight - Local Events

British agriculture really needs our support right now. The devastating effects of Foot and Mouth Disease, recent flooding and the poor summer, and now the Blue Tongue threat, have been well publicised.

So the British Food Fortnight, running from 22 September to 7 October 2007, could not have come at a better time. It is described as "the biggest national celebration of the diverse and delicious range of food that Britain produces". The thousands of activities taking place across the country range from food and drink festivals, promotions, tastings and special menus in pubs, restaurants and shops.

To enjoy a pub walk with a difference, why not look at the events in your area for inspiration? You might want to try a "Cotswold Food and Drink Trail" or combine your walk with an Everards "meet the brewer" session.

For more information click on British Food Fortnight.

Today's Pub Walk: Fort St. George in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire.

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Good Beer Guide 2008 is Published

Good Beer Guide 2008 is Published

CAMRA's annual bible, lovingly compiled by its 87,000 members, has arrived again. With its 4,500 entries, it is easy to find a pub to use as a base for a new pub walk and hopefully many of these will appear on MyFavouritePubWalks.com in time.

This year's edition highlights the only 10 pubs that have secured a place in the guide for every one of the 35 editions since CAMRA published the first one. Quite an achievement and worth seeking out as a priority.

For details of the 10 top pubs click on the Good Beer Guide 2008.

Today's Pub Walk: The Peacock Inn in Chelsworth, Suffolk.

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The Great British Pint is Saved

The Great British Pint is Saved

Reuters report that the EU has finally agreed to keep its hands off our British pint measure and accept that we like our beer served in a traditional pint glass.

The same goes for miles which will continue to feature on our road signs whilst grocers will no longer risk prosecution for displaying only pounds and ounces on their produce.

The EU had planned to outlaw Imperial measurements by 2009 but the public outcry and a longstanding campaign have achieved this U-turn without any help from the government.

According to a statement by the EU Enterprise Commissioner, "This proposal ... honours the culture and traditions of Great Britain and Ireland, which are important to the European Commission". Well, cynics amongst might counter “since when?”

Unfortunately, this reasoning was not extended to our acres measure which the EU still plans to ban because “neither Britain nor Ireland uses the measurement officially”. One has to ask, if it is not used officially then what does it matter to the EU anyway? Perhaps they should mind their own business...

For more information click on The Great British Pint is Saved.

Today's Pub Walk: The White Hart (walk 5) in Campton, Bedfordshire.

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London Walking Weekend - Pub Walks

London Walking Weekend - Pub Walks

London Walking Weekend is 15-16 September which is all about getting people out of their cars and enjoying the capital on foot. It is aimed at the whole family and whether or not the intention is to go for a pub walk, you can bet your bottom dollar that many a walk will turn out to be one!

A free guided walk will take place in each of the Capital`s 33 boroughs, the unique Lee Valley Walk Challenge and the Green Chain Walking Festival which also ends with a pub walk. So it only seems right that Today's Pub Walk should be in London.

For more information click on London Walking Weekend.

Today's Pub Walk: The Edinboro Castle in Cambden, London.

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Farming Industry Devastated by New Foot and Mouth Outbreak

Farming Industry Devastated by New Foot and Mouth Outbreak

The diagnosis of a new outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease on a Surrey farm is a stunning blow for our farming community.

This comes just days after the Chief Medical Officer gave the all clear and lifted the Protection Zones put in place to control the August outbreak (see earlier post). It is a tragedy for British farmers just when meat prices were starting to recover.

According to this morning's Farming Today, the next 2 weeks are the busiest time of year for livestock farmers with most of the year's profit being made at the Autumn sales. It will also be very tough for them to cover the cost of winter feed for livestock that cannot be sold.

For the latest information on the outbreak and how it affects walkers, click on Foot and Mouth footpath closures.
See update...

Today's pub walk: The Dukes Head in Romsey, Hampshire.

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Coastal Access - Public Consultation Ends

Coastal Access - Public Consultation Ends

11 September marks the end of the public consultation period of proposals to open up an uninterrupted public access corridor around the English coast. I last wrote about this in June in my post Coastal Access - Right to Roam our English Coastline when the consultation process began.

According to The Ramblers Association, 94% of the English public support the wide-ranging proposals presented to the government by Natural England. Let's all just hope now that the government has been listening.

Read more at Coastal Access and the right to roam our English coastline
See update...

Today's Pub Walk: The George Inn in Middlezoy, Somerset.

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Last Chance to Nominate a Favourite Pub Walk

Last Chance to Nominate a Favourite Pub Walk

Well this weekend marks the last opportunity to send in your entry in the first ever competition to find the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk. The weather forecast promises plenty of sunshine so this could be an ideal time to make the most of what was meant to be summer - enjoy a walk in country or town and finish off in one of your favourite pubs with perhaps a pint of real ale and maybe a traditional pub lunch.

Afterwards, if it surpasses expectations, you could tell your fellow pub walkers about it by entering the competition. All entries before midnight of Sunday 9th September will be eligible to win prizes.

Full details of the competition and its many prizes can be found at Nation's Favourite Pub Walk.
See Update...

Today's pub walk: The Mussell Inn at Down Thomas, Plymouth, Devon.

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Concern for Pubs after Disastrous Summer Sales

Concern for Pubs after Disastrous Summer Sales

Fears are growing that the disastrous summer pub sales slump is causing a sharp increase in the number of licensees giving notice to quit.

Many pubs are suffering as a direct result of the poor summer weather and floods which have come in the wake of the smoking ban.

Add to that the rises in interest rates which not only push up their own borrowing costs but also reduce customers’ cash for leisure then it is easy to see why it’s been a tough few months for publicans.

Let’s all hope a sunny September can give a shot in the arm to our ailing pub community. To read more click on Concern for Pubs after Disastrous Summer Sales.

With the end of September also seeing the close of voting for The Nation’s Favourite Pub Walk, why not use the month to not only help our pubs but also to try some more pub walks and cast your votes?

Today's pub walk: The Hole in the Wall near Cambridge.

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Soil Association Organic Fortnight

Soil Association Organic Fortnight

The Soil Association Organic Fortnight starts on 1 September with a rallying call to "Wake up to an Organic Breakfast". Pubs are being encouraged to join in by offering an organic breakfast to their customers ... how about an early morning walk with an organic breakfast to follow? A pub walk with a difference perhaps!

At the moment I see only one pub featuring on the Soil Association website. That is The Riverside Inn, Cliff Street, Cheddar, Somerset, which has teamed up with Organica Wholefoods to provide organic breakfasts between 10am-12am for the duration of Organic Fortnight. Cheddar Gorge is a fantastic walk and an early stroll would certainly beat the tourists!

For most of us with a keen interest in the countryside, and indeed our planet, the question of whether "organic is best" is something of a no-brainer. The benefits are clear - a return to a more natural ecological balance with fewer chemicals, less carbon dioxide, improved biodiversity on farmland, fewer health issues, not to mention higher levels of vitamins and other nutrients in our food.

For more information click on Soil Association Organic Fortnight.

Today's pub walk: The Case is Altered (walk 2) in Bentley, Suffolk.

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Best Pub Pork Sausage Award

Best Pub Pork Sausage Award

I do like to keep an eye open for these competitions targeted at our traditional pub meals. I mentioned in a previous post about the pub walk being nominated as an English Icon. Well, the banger has got to be another good candidate for this title.

The British Pig Executive (BPEX) is running the search for the best pub banger in association with the trade magazine The Publican. To find out more and read about last year’s winner click on Best Pub Pork Sausage Award.

Once the results are announced, these will be included in the Pub Awards section of our free newsletter The Pub Walker and if you would like to be included on our newsletter mailing list just click on subscribe.

Today's pub walk: The Royal Standard (walk 2) in Beaconsfield, Bucks.

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Our Favourite Pub Walk - Entries by 9 Sep 2007

The Nation's Favourite Pub Walk - Entries By 9 September 2007

Good Pub Guides, Ramblers Association books and Blacks/Millets vouchers are still up for grabs in the on-line competition to find the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk. As well as a chance to win these prizes, every entrant also gets 1 year's free access to all the pub walks in the MyFavouritePubWalks.com database and a share in the website's profits.

Everyone has until Sunday 9th September 2007 to enter their favourite pub walks into the competition, so why not go ahead and enter one for your favourite local, or maybe one you've just discovered on holiday. To find out more, click on Pub Walks On-line Competition.
See Update...

Today's pub walk: The White Hart (walk 4) in Campton, Bedfordshire.

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Planning Disasters - Have Your Say Before 17 August !

Countryside Planning Disasters - Have Your Say Before 17 August !

Time is running out to object to government proposals to limit public enquiries into major developments affecting our countryside. Under these proposals, nuclear power stations, wind farms, airport runways and the like will be built whether the public supports the project or not.

We must all make it clear that this is totally unacceptable in a democracy and we have until tomorrow to have our say as public consultation ends 17th August.

For more information on how to object visit Countryside News - Planning Disaster or www.planningdisaster.co.uk.

Today's pub walk: The Blue Ball in Grantchester, Cambridgeshire.

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Great British Beer Festival - Hobsons Mild Voted Best Beer in Britain

Great British Beer Festival - Hobsons Mild Voted Best in Britain

Today marks the end of the 30th Great British Beer Festival at Earl's Court where Hobsons Mild from Hobsons Brewery in Shropshire was voted the Best Beer in Britain.

The 2007 Good Beer Guide, published by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) describes it as: "A classic mild. Complex layers of taste come from roasted malts that predominate and give lots of flavour."

For more news items from the event and a complete list of the winners, click on Great British Beer Festival winners.

Today's pub walk: The Victory Inn in Hamble, Hampshire.

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Foot and Mouth - Which Footpaths are Closed?

Foot and Mouth - Which Footpaths are Closed?

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) appear to have learnt some of the lessons of the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001. This time they are stressing that the countryside will generally remain open for business whilst footpaths and bridleways will only be closed if they present a real threat of spreading the disease.

Keeping up to date with this situation is important for walkers in affected areas but the position can change at short notice as press releases are being issued almost daily. For the latest news regarding footpath restrictions and countryside access, click on Foot and Mouth footpath closures.

Today's pub walk: The Mason's Arms in Marylebone, London.

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The Pub Walker Newsletter - First Edition

The Pub Walker Newsletter - First Edition

This evening I sent out the first edition of our free 2-monthly newsletter "The Pub Walker". I hope I have captured a range of topics relating to pub walks that people will enjoy reading which include:

1. Introducing The Pub Walker - what's in it for you?
2. Award-winning pubs and where to find them
3. Where is The Nation's Favourite Pub Walk?
4. Free pub meals in return for pub walks
5. Dates for your Diary - special events, festivals and deadlines

I chose the frequency of every 2 months but if reader comments suggest this should be more or less frequent then I will change this. Hopefully feedback will help to make this newsletter better and more relevant to pub walkers with each edition.

For anyone not on our newsletter mailing list, you can click here to view the newsletter and then subscribe to our mailing list for future editions.

Today's pub walk: The West Bay (walk 2) in Bridport, Dorset.

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Pubs Walks Nominated as "Icon of England"

Pubs walks nominated as "icon of England"

A few weeks ago I happened upon a website "Icons – a Portrait of England" which seeks to capture all those elements of everyday life that make England what it is. It invites nominations for just about anything that people consider to be quintessentially English and has so far received over 1100 suggestions.

Nominations to date range from the unsurprising (roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, the English seaside town, afternoon tea and the red pillar box) to the rather more dubious (the word "blimey" and the TV programme "Countdown"). Real ale and our public footpaths are up there with the most popular too.

After a prospective icon has been nominated, visitors to the site simply click on a thumbs up “yes” or a thumbs down “no” to the question “is this an English icon?” and the site shows the percentage vote each way.

Given that pub walks combine two of our strongest traditions, I simply had to nominate them of course. And a Google search shows that this is almost uniquely an English hobby too.

It’s just a bit of fun I know but, if you think pub walks are an English icon, please go to Icons – a Portrait of England and click on the thumbs up “yes” vote! Thanks for taking part.

Today's pub walk: The White Hart (walk 3) in Campton, Bedfordshire.

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Pubs Show Community Spirits to Floods Victims

Pubs Show Community Spirits to Floods Victims

We've all seen the devastation and personal misery of the thousands of people caught up in what is being widely described as the worst floods for 60 years. Pubs themselves have suffered severely too with not only their homes but also their livelihoods under water.

But when a disaster like this occurs, it is always accompanied by a strong sense of community with people from all backgrounds pulling together and helping each other for the common good.

Pubs at the heart of the flooding are helping their communities too, like the publicans I know at The New Inn at Cropthorne, near Worcester. They gave food and overnight shelter to 200 souls who became stranded when a nearby road collapsed. Hopefully when life returns to normality, many of those people who were helped will return to support the New Inn as it works to recover its own business.

Read more at Pubs Show Community Spirits to Floods Victims.

Today's pub walk: The County Arms in Cambridge.

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National Trust beats Pubs in Steak Pie Contest

National Trust beats Pubs in Steak Pie Contest

Against the odds, in a championship cook-off final that included five pub chefs and a single National Trust chef, the sole non-pub contender walked away with the trophy in The National Steak Pie Competition 2007.

The winner was Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire with the runners up being pubs spread across the country. All the finalists were commended for the quality ingredients they had sourced so I shall now make it a personal challenge to try and get to try each one!

For details of the winners, click on National Trust beats Pubs in Steak Pie Contest.

Today's pub walk: The Filly Inn (walk 2) in The New Forest, Hants.

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